DeLana, Mason and I drove to Sweet Home to see Shalene and Danny. Matt and Sean were in from Arizona, so we had cousin time. They took us to the river to fish and swim. Mason caught five fish.

I watched Mason baiting his hook on the rock by himself, and I knew that alone was worth the effort it took to get us here. I wanted my kids to grow up like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. We’ve never lived by a river, and we have taken advantage of the river in Roseburg.

I love how the rivers change when the water levels change. The trees are so thick.

This is further upriver. Mason and I did a rope swing and jumped off a rock to the left of this picture. The water was so clear. And so cold.

Sean, Matt, Shalene and me. It was worth the drive to spend time with them. Especially in such a beautiful place. Spending time is always worth the effort.